Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Update

Tonight I started and finished 2 King pillow shams. They were not as hard as I used to think they would be. I had a freak out moment when I thought I didn't have enough fabric to give a generous enough overlap but a quick call to Jo and she set me straight. I still have a pending project for my sis for Jada and my mom. I will have to set aside some time to sew and get them done.

Chillin

Here's s shot of the boys wrapped up in a blanket I made in college and sitting out their couch watching tv. They were being so sweet and good I just had to take a pic. Posted by Picasa

Getting our Christmas Tree at Pinetop farms 2006

We decided to continue our tradition from last year and get our tree from a local tree farm where we go and cut it ourselves. We were happy with our tree last year for the most part until we both forgot to water it one day and it dried up some, but that was our own fault. So we loaded up after church on Sunday and headed to the farm.
After a few delays that we couldn't avoid like heavy traffic on the main highway to get there for miles and miles and nature calling both boys almost at the same time and 2 hayrides out to the tree arbor we finally found our tree.
Mardie really had lots of fun this year in finding all of the stumps from everyone else's cut trees. Hence the sap "lotion" you see covering his hand. His had was so sticky that his fingers had started to stick together! Thankfully he didn't get too much in his hair, or on his clothes. What put me over the top though was when he decided to grab handfuls of the dirt on the hayride path with his sap hand and other hand and throw them simultaneously into the air over his head and hair! Once I realized what he had been doing I tried to isolate his hand and body for that matter, but it was too late.
Rubbing Alcohol removes sap btw. Posted by Picasa
The brothers search diligently for our tree. Charmie kept picking trees tha were about 4ft. tall. To him they were big enough. We kept trying to explain that the tree needed to be taller than Daddy, but from his perspective especially since Daddy wasn't standing next to the tree they were. Posted by Picasa

Our Tree

Rocky with Charmie assisting cutting down our tree. Mardie sits nearby making sap lotion on the recently cut stump. I am oblivious to his proximity as I know that he's not in danger and I'm trying to make some Kodak moments. Little did I know how important it would be to be a little more aware. . . Posted by Picasa
The tree all cut down. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Mardie and his Lightning pants

After making Charmie's race car pants I remembered I had some Car's licensed print fabric that I meant to make them both pants from. I whipped these up in about 15 minutes for Mardie. I used no pattern and they fit perfectly except for the leg cuffs are just a little too tight. I will need to either remove them and redo them or add feet, or some other hem. These don't have pockets. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, November 19, 2006

major overhaul

Sorry I have no pictures to post yet, but yesterday starting from around 7am Rocky and I did a major overhaul on almost every room in our home! And all of it because of me. Now before some of you start to jump to conclusions, no I'm not pregnant.
But we did get most of the furniture out of our office. Since we don't have unlimited space in our home that meant first deciding which things needed to go, then what things needed to be displaced to make room for the stuff we were removing from the office and then progressing in making it all happen. I didn't get to bed until after 5am and I still am not done, but at least the contents of my bookcases are no longer on my living room couches and you can actually walk through the living room again, oh and the computer is obviously working or I wouldn't be able to blog.
I now have a dedicated sewing room! We still need to build my cutting/pressing table, but the room is cleared of our bookcases and office armiore.
I wanted to sew more with the work my boss is giving to me, but without a dedicated space I was having to spend a large part of my time getting things out and then putting them back away.
I'm really happy with how things have turned out so far and pictures will be forthcoming. . . when we get around to taking them.
For those of you who have been in my home, it looks nothing like it did before due to the major changes.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Stork?


On the 10th my sister was admitted to the hospital to induce labor for Jada Cherie. That morning my dad saw a bird fly over his house and head toward my sister's home. He described the unusally large bird as a stork.Yesterday morning as I was serving the boy's breakfast I saw a large bird fly into my back yard and settle into one of our trees. This photo is not great as it was overcast and taken through the window, but here the bird perches.I'm not looking for any stork visits, so if you are this may be your missing stork!

Felted Fuzzy Slippers

Here are the slippers felted. Notice the size they represent on my oven. . . much smaller than before. I hope that they are cozy. Posted by Picasa

Rain Rain Rain

As some of you know our yard has been a work in progress for some time. Rocky is doing the best that he can, however since he works more than full time hours at his job, and has other responsibilities, and needs sleep, he hasn't been able to do it all at once. That and yard work cost money. Thankfully God has been gracious and we have had several blessings of either work done for free, or Rocky being able to use equiptment for free and that has helped. The latest thing he has done is continued grading the back yard and slopeing it towards the creek.
With the rain that we received last night and today the creek rose and overflowed it's bank into our back yard. Thankfully when this happens it clears away quickly and our house is elevated substantially over the level of the rest of the yard, but here you can see the creek and then part of a bank with stuff growing from it, and then our yard again. These pictures are taken from our deck.
I know Rocky will be so glad when this job is completed as it has taken all of his free time lately. Posted by Picasa
Here's a view of the left hand side behind the shed, the water is still flowing across the yard on this side as you can see in the rippling on the surface. Posted by Picasa

Pre-Felted fuzzy slippers

Here are some fuzzy slippers I made before felting. They are huge. Way to big for even any men that I know. That's the neato thing about felting. It makes the fabric denser, thicker, and shrinks it smaller. I can't wait to felt these up and see how cute they look. I got the pattern free from www.knitty.com. I knitted them yesterday in spare time so they knit up quickly in my opinion. They follow the same rules as socks, just larger needles and no ribbing or reienforced stitches that won't felt. I guess you could say this is the 2nd pair of socks I've completed.
I almost had enough to make them from one ball of Lorna's Bullfrogs and Butterflys but ran short right at the toe so I used some black worsted wool to finish them off.
I am borrowing the One Skein Knitting book and Odd Ball Knitting book from my sis so I'm gathering ideas for other projects that I can use just one ball to make. Maybe next time I'll have better success of finishing before I run out!Posted by Picasa

Chef's Charmie and Mardie

After things were a little stircrazy I decided we needed a project so we made oatmeal cookies from the MOP's cookbook More than Mac n Cheese. Here the boys are mixing up the ingredients. They each got to take turn adding ingredients that I measured out for them. We'll have to do projects like this more often! Posted by Picasa
Fresh out of the oven and cooling, yum! Posted by Picasa

Twisted bedsocks

After seeing all of my sister's pretty socks I finally committed again to make a pair, this pair however I actually completed! This is yarn that I hand painted with Kool Aid some time ago and never got around to knitting up. It makes the socks stripe, as well as the spiral 3x3 ribbing. They are worsted weight so they are nice and cozy and very snug with the ribbing. I will definately have to make some more of these! Posted by Picasa

Meet Camella's twin Lily

While Rocky and I were on our Anniversary trip we stopped at this sale I saw close to our B&B. It was advertised as a flea market but once we were inside I realized that it wasn't a flea but someone's collection of stuff to sell. It was a large warehouse with all kinds of used things for sale. Of course Rocky and I were both interested in looking around for a little while. We had to wait about 30 minutes to checkin anyway so . . .
I immediately found the sewing machines and was pleasantly suprised to find 2- 3/4 machines in fairly good cosmetic condition, and both sewed. The machine on the right, Singer 185K aka Lily and another 99- to be sisters with Cranky and Goldie. I actually think I will take the case from this new 99- and put Cranky into it. I have not had time to clean or name this 99-. I will have to find some time soon.
I did spend a little bit of time cleaning up my little Lily. It was very neat to compare machines side by side and notice differences like the orienteation of the cord on the foot pedal, size of handwheel, bobbin case area, etc. After cleaning and oiling I put them side by side along with Cranky and tested stitching. I know some are not a big fan of the 285J, Camella, machine but I couldn't tell much difference in the stitching. I also couldn't tell much difference in the volume when sewing between Camella and Lily, however Cranky was much quieter.
I had put obtaining machines on a moratorium somewhat, at least I thought I had. I am still on the lookout however for a reasonably priced featherweight. I think then I will stop. I have 3 machines to sell. One of which I haven't blogged or named, or attepmted to really add to the collection as it's a full sized Brother from the 70's with a cute flowerd case. Posted by Picasa

Happy 6th Anniversary and Happy Birthday Jada

Rocky and I decided that our babies were old enough for us to have a real getaway this anniversary so we had some wonderful help from our parents to watch our boys and we made arrangements and took off! We stayed at the Walnut Lane Inn in Lyman, SC. A Bed and Breakfast was a new experience for both of us and it was very nice. We stayed in the East Room. In this photo the upper set of windows to the left is our room and the smaller window over the front porch to the left is our private bath.
While we were there we dined at Gerards in Greer, SC which was the nicest place Rocky and I have ever dined at together. We also tasted from some other local goodies like Mutt's BBQ and Japanese steakhouse. We went horseback riding for a 1 hour trip and also toured the Walnut Gove Plantation. Since having kids we haven't really had opportunity, or made opportunity to get away like this together so this weekend was a real treat for both of us!
I would like to give special thanks to those who made it all possible. . . our parents who watched our boys, the Ray's having to travel to spend the night, and the Manuel's who also had their 2 other grandchildren to watch as my new niece was born on our anniversary this year!
Also my dear husband Rocky who had the ideas of where to go, creativity to try some new things, and forsight to plan it all ahead so that everything went smoothly. God had truely blessed me with a wonderful mate, provider, father for my children, and man of God and though at times it seems that we have known each other forever, I am glad that we are really just at the beginning of our journey together! Posted by Picasa

Sitting in the Living Room

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Sitting on the steps

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Another day, another hairstyle

Here's Charmie's 2nd braided do. You can see the first one in our family blog. He likeds braids and is getting much better at sitting for a while to have his hair done. I'm getting faster but it still takes me over an hour. :( Unfortunately his hair is so soft that it also comes undone quickly. Once I braid it I encourage him wear a do rag most of the time to protect our work. I must admit Charmie is good about wearing it and looks rather handsome with it on, but he just plays hard and by the 3rd day they just look plain ratty. I guess as his hair grows longer they may last better. At least I'd hope they would. Posted by Picasa

Attempt at knitting a hat

Notice the pj bottoms that I sewed that I won't be modeling for any blog shots. I wanted a winter cap and convinced myself that I could knit one from one skien of yarn. I think that would have been very possible from a different skien, but I chose some Brown Sheep Kalidascope that is in the same family as cotton fleece, just less yardage. I didn't have enough :( and I don't have anything that I'd like to knit with this so I frogged it and re-stashed it. I'll find a hat pat that I can successfully pull off with my mini fro and some yarn to knit it in, but until then I remain capless. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

A response to a me

01. bought everyone in the bar a drink02. swam with wild dolphins03. climbed a mountain04. taken a ferrari for a test drive05. been inside the great pyramid06. held a tarantula 07. taken a candlelit bath with someone 08. said "i love you" and meant it 09. hugged a tree 10. bungee jumped11. visited paris12. watched a lightning storm at sea13. stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise 14. seen the northern lights 15. gone to a huge sports game 16. walked the stairs to the top of the leaning tower of pisa17. grown and eaten your own vegetables 18. touched an iceberg19. slept under the stars 20. changed a baby's diape r21. taken a trip in a hot air balloon22. watched a meteor shower 23. gotten drunk on champagne 24. given more than you can afford to charity 25. looked up at the night sky through a telescope 26. had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment 27. had a food fight 28. bet on a winning horse29. asked out a stranger 30. had a snowball fight 31. screamed as loudly as you possibly can 32. held a lamb 33. seen a total eclipse 34. ridden a roller coaster 35. hit a home run 36. danced like a fool and not cared who was looking 37. adopted an accent for an entire day 38. actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment 39. had two hard drives for your computer 40. visited all 50 states41. taken care of someone who was drunk 42. had amazing friends 43. danced with a stranger in a foreign country44. watched whales 45. stolen a sign 46. backpacked in europe47. taken a road-trip 48. gone rock climbing 49. midnight walk on the beach 50. gone sky diving51. visited ireland52. been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love 53. in a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them54. visited japan55. milked a cow56. alphabetized your cds 57. pretended to be a superhero 58. sung karaoke 59. lounged around in bed all day 60. played touch football 61. gone scuba diving62. kissed in the rain 63. played in the mud 64. played in the rain 65. gone to a drive-in theater 66. visited the great wall of china67. started a business 68. fallen in love and not had your heart broken (so far, so good)69. toured ancient sites 70. taken a martial arts class71. played d&d for more than 6 hours straight72. gotten married 73. been in a movie74. crashed a party 75. gotten divorced76. gone without food for 5 days77. made cookies from scratch 78. won first prize in a costume contest79. ridden a gondola in venice80. gotten a tattoo.81. rafted the snake river82. been on television news programs as an "expert"83. gotten flowers for no reason 84. performed on stage 85. been to las vegas86. recorded music 87. eaten shark 88. kissed on the first date89. gone to thailand90. bought a house 91. been in a combat zone92. buried one/both of your parents93. been on a cruise ship94. spoken more than one language fluently (no, but my Korean was very good for a time)95. performed in rocky horror96. raised children(raising) 97. followed your favorite band/singer on tour98. passed out cold 99. taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country100. picked up and moved to another city to just start over101. walked the golden gate bridge102. sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking 103. had plastic surgery104. survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived105. wrote articles for a large publication106. lost over 100 pounds107. held someone while they were having a flashback108. piloted an airplane109. touched a stingray 110. broken someone's heart 111. helped an animal give birth112. won money on a t.v. game show113. broken a bone114. gone on an african photo safari115. had a facial part pierced other than your ears116. fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol 117. eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wildsidenote - where is 118?119. had major surgery120. had a snake as a pet121. hiked to the bottom of the grand canyon122. slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours 123. visited more foreign countries than u.s. states124. visited all 7 continents125. taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days 126. eaten kangaroo meat127. eaten sushi 128. had your picture in the newspaper 129. changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about 130. gone back to school 131. parasailed132. touched a cockroach 133. eaten fried green tomatoes 134. read The iliad 135. selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read136. killed and prepared an animal for eating137. skipped all your school reunions (so far) 138. communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language 139. been elected to public office140. written your own computer language141. thought to yourself that you're living your dream142. had to put someone you love into hospice care143. built your own PC from parts144. sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you145. had a booth at a street fair146. dyed your hair 147. been a dj148. shaved your head149. caused a car accident150. saved someone's life

My friend had this on her blog and I thought I would post it to mine. enjoy!

Monday, November 06, 2006

Racing pants #1

I had purchased some fabric to make some around the house pants for the boys and here's my first pair! I used a one seam pattern from a dear sweet member of one of my online groups. Thanks Gayle! They are super simple to make since you only sew the center closed. I think total time it took less than an hour for cutting and sewing. I sewed them completely except for the elastic casing and pocket attachment on the serger. I used race car print flannel and red fleece. I cut the fleece smaller than the leg openings and stretched it while I sewed to have the ankle part draw in. Charmie likes them, but prefers to wear them with one arm through each leg hole like a shrug over his shoulders vs. pants.
These are not meant to be pj's but just pants to wear around our house. When Charmie modeled these he was still wearing his bulky night time undies so he looks a little hippy. With normal undies they have a slimmer profile. Posted by Picasa
Here's a side view. I placed the pockets where the pattern had them, but the next pair I make, if I put pockets, I will place them higher. They are too low. Otherwise I like this pattern and will be making Mardie a pair with it soon!
Thank you Gayle for sharing your one seam pants pattern and tips for teaching classes. Posted by Picasa

Charmie's first braids

Here's one happy Charmie with his hair braided into cornrows for the first time, it's really the 2nd time, but the first time was several months ago, they braids didn't hold, they were lumpy and sad. This time was much better! Posted by Picasa
View of the top, side and back Posted by Picasa
shot of the back of the head. Nice parts! Posted by Picasa
Charmie as a Teradactyl, or as he says Kadactly, followed by a high pitch screech. Posted by Picasa